Get started on your research

Start your research here
An overview of how to develop a research topic, how to select the best research tools for your needs, and how to access books and articles.

Research guides for subjects
Use these guides, created by subject-spectialist Liaison Librarians, to minimize your research time and find valuable information sources in your field of interest. 

Many of these guides also include links to course pages which provide strategies for doing specific research assignments.

Assignment Calculator
Starting a research paper? This time-management tool helps you break down your assignment (from research to writing to citing) into a series of steps.

Find information on your topic

Use Library Search to start searching for books and more

Library Search is the default search engine for the SFU Library. This is the best place to start when looking for print or electronic books, journal or magazine articles, subject and course guides written by librarians, information about the Library's services and initiatives, and many other types of information. 

Search specialized databases for detailed information on your topic

Access web-based books and articles

To access online books and articles, you will need to verify you are part of the SFU community. In the Library Catalogue or when prompted in a database, sign in with your SFU computing ID and accompanying password.

If the full text of an article or book is not readily available or apparent, use the Get@SFU link located in many specialized databases to locate print or online copies of books and journal articles. 

If there is not a Get@SFU link, search for the journal title or book title in the Library Catalogue to locate online or print copies.

Get print books and articles

Receive paper books and articles at home

As a distance education student, you are welcome to use the Telebook service to have SFU paper books and journal articles sent to you. 

Request items not carried by the SFU Library

If SFU Library does not have a book or an article that you need, you can request items from other libraries  (pickup location: Telebook).

Borrow books from other university and college libraries

You are also eligible to borrow books in person from other non-SFU academic libraries.  Contact the Telebook office for more information.

Additional resources

Writing, learning, and studying help

For help with academic writing, learning, and studying, see the Student Learning Commons web site.

Help with APA, MLA, copyright & plagiarism

See the SFU Writing & Style Guides for help with citation styles (APA, MLA, etc.) and how to avoid plagiarism. For information on copyright, please see Copyright at SFU.

Ask us!

We are here to help.  Please Ask a Librarian if you need assistance.

If you are in another time zone, check the current local time in Vancouver (and British Columbia) should you wish to make real-time contact with an SFU librarian.